Apparatus for coiling wire



June 1943- A. G. BLODGETT 2,321,646

APPARATUS FOR COILING WIRE Filed Dec. 10, 1940 4 Sheet-Sheet 1 Z INVENTOR June 15, 1943. A, LoDGET-r APPARATUS FOR comm WIRE Filed Dec. 10,1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR June 15, 1943.

A. G. BLODGETT APPARATUS FOR COILI NG WIRE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 19, 1940 R PM E V m n 3.

3 6 I flu 5 II III A m. l J Id J 1 M r :2 w wf 11 HnW Ri .lll k- W Q! 5 June -15,' 1943. A. G, BLODGETT 2,321,646

APPARATUS FOR COILING WIRE Filed Dec. 10, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 7/! VIII/A I NVENTOR .to the wire.

' tion';

Patented June 15,1943

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 19 Claims. (01. 242-80) This inventionrelates to apparatus for coiling wire, and more particularly to the construction and arrangement of apparatusadapted to receive .a strand of wire continuously and to coil the same into a series of annular bundles without interrupting the movement of the wire. I

In the operation of the'usual wire-drawing machine it is the common practice to stop the machine whenever a bundle of wire is completed, so that the bundle canbe removed. These periods of idleness prevent the machine from attaining the productive capacity which is possible with the apparatus in a still further phase of its operation;

Fig. is an elevation on an enlarged scale of a continuous operation. Moreover, the starting of the machine may cause the wire to break, resulting in still further delay. Consequently there is a' demand for an apparatus which is capable of forming a continuously moving wire into annular bundles, and while this is particularly true in the wire-drawing art there are doubtless other fields in which such a machine would prove useful.

Several prior attempts have been madeto solve this problem. For the most part, these earlier constructions have been complicated, expensive, and unreliable. In manycases they impart an undesirable'twist to the wire, which results in an unsatisfactory bundle and causes difliculty in the subsequent formation of the wire into articles of manufacture. a

It is accordingly one object oi the invention to avoid these. difllculties and provide a comparatively simple, inexpensive, and dependable apparatus which will coil a continuously moving wire into a series of annular bundles.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus which coil a continuously moving wire into bundles without imparting a twist It is a further object of the invention to provide a wire coiling apparatus which can be employed in conjunction with a wire-drawing machine of the usual type without requiring any substantial modification thereof, and which will make it possible to draw wire continuously.

With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto.

Referring to the drawings illustrating one embodiment of the inventionand in which like reference numerals indicate like parts.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a wire coiling apparatus; Fig. 2 is an elevation of the apparatus, with certain parts shown in section on the line 2 -2 of Fig. 1; I

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig.1, but showins the apparatus in -a diflerent phase of its opera- Flg. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing portion of the apparatus;

Fig. 61s a section taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5; a Fig. 'I is a section taken substantially on the line 1-1 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 6, the parts in a different phase of the operation; Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. '7, but showing the parts in a diflerent phase of the operation;

Fig. v10 is a section onthe line ll-Ii of Fig.

Fig. 11 is a section on the line ll-il of Fig. 6;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a shearing member;

Fig. 13 is a section on the line l3-l3 of Fig. 14 is a section on-the line M-M of .Fig. 9; and i Fig. 15 is. an enlarged section on-the line- |5i5 of Fig. 1.

The embodiment illustrated comprises a wire-' drawing block 2| rotatable about a vertical axis and so arranged that the wire W aiter'passing several times'about the block, leaves the same in a horizontal path. This block may be the final or finishing block of a multiple block wire-drawing machine, and it may be of the usual and wellknown construction except that no posts are required thereon, since the bundles will not be formed on this block.

Adjacent the wire-drawing block 20 I provide twocoil forming blocks 2| (Figs. 1 and 2). These blocksil are of identical construction, and each comprises a hollow capstan portion '22, a flange 23 extending horizontally from the lower edge thereof, and four'vertical .coil supporting posts 24 extending above the capstan portion. Each block it is mounted on the upper end of "a vertical spindle 25 arranged to,be driven by any suitable means, such as an electric motor 21. Each motor is provided with suitable and wellknown electrical connections and controls (not shown) for starting and stopping the motor and regulating its'speed. The spindles 2i and motors 21 are supported on opposite ends of a horizontal frame 28 which is secured to the upper end of a vertical shaft "located midway between the two spindles 2'. The shaft 29 is rotatably supported in a stationary hollow vertical frame 3. in which there is mounted a.- horizontal worm 3| arranged to be rotated by any suitable means,

. such as a handwheel 32. The worm ll meshes with a worm gear 33' fixed to the lower end of the shaft 29. The block flanges 23 are positioned.

immediately below the horizontal plane of the wire W.

but showing It will now be apparent that by rotating the handwheel 32, the frame 2.8 can be turned about the axis of the shaft 29, and each block 2| can be moved into the position previously occupied by the other. During the course of this movement ,one of the blocks can be coiling the on-coming wire, and the other block can be caused to travel across the path of the wire in such a manner as to cause this block to support a loop of the wire. Thus at the completion of the turning movement, the wire will pass around one block in the form of a loop and thencetravel to the second block, on which it is coiled. In Figs. 1 and 2, the bundle is shown forming on the block at the left. In Fig. 3 the frame 28 has been turned through about 60 degrees in a counterclockwise direction, and in Fig. 4 the frame has been turned still further through about 150 degrees from its original position. .These figures illustrate the manner in which the wire is looped about the empty block. It will be clear that by the time the frame has blocks have reversed their original positions, the wire will be in contact with the empty block throughout an are or loop of say 170 degrees, the empty block of course being driven by its motor at substantially the speed of the wire, so that the empty block serves as a rotating wire-guiding pulley about which the wire travels in an arcuate path.

When a bundle of suflicient size has been formed on the coiling block, the wire is gripped and severed during its travel along the arc of contact with the empty block, without interrupting the movement of the wire. Thus a new bundle will begin to form on the empty block, and the fllled block can be stopped and the bundle stripped therefrom.

The mechanism whereby the gripping and severing of the wire is effected is illustrated particubeen turned throughlBO degrees and the two larly in Figs. 5 to 15. Within each block 2| there is mounted a grip member 35 formed with a gripjaw 36 which projects radially outward through a vertical slot 31 in the capstan portion 22 of the block. This slot extends downwardly through the flange 23, but it preferably terminates somewhat short of the outer edge of the flange, as shown in Fig. 6. The jaw 36 is movable verticallyin the clined lower surface. When the grip member 35 is in its lowermost position, as shown in Fig. 6,,

this surface ll cooperates with the upper surface of the flange 23 therebeneath to form a V-shaped notch for the reception of the loop of wire which passes part way around the block.

In order that the wire may be gripped in a desired manner, a lower grip jaw 43 is mounted beneath the jaw 36 to cooperate therewith. This lower jaw is provided at its inner end with a laterally offset ear 4| arranged to extend upwardly and overlap that side of the rip member 35 which faces rearwardly relative to the direction of rotation of the block. The ear ll is pivotally secured to the member 35 by means of a horizontal bolt ll extending in a generally this jaw is in its lowermost position, as shown in 75 Fig. 6, it will lie beneath the upper surface of the I flange 23 so that the loop of wire will pass above the same and between the two jaws. When the lower jaw 43 is in its upper or gripping position, as shown in Fig. 8, it projects above the flange and its lower surface is inclined upwardly and outwardly to cooperate with the upper surface of the flange in forming a v-shaped notch for the reception of the second convolution-of wire when the wire has been severed and a new bundle has begun to form. The lower jaw 43 is biased toward its upper or gripping position, and for this purpose a coiled compression spring 43 is provided. This spring is mounted between the lower ends of two lugs 49 and 50-,- the axis of the spring extending in a generally radial direction. The.

lug 43 projects downwardly from therear side of the hub 38, and the lug 50 projects downwardly from the inner portion of the lower jaw 43.- It will be noted in Figs. 6 and 8 that shallow notches 5| are formed in the grip jaws for engagement with the wire. The surfaces of these notches may be roughened in order to ensure a flrmer grip.

Means is provided to hold the lower grip jaw open against the pressure of the spring 43, and to release the same at the proper time. For this purpose a bracket 53 is secured to the lower surface of the block flange 23 adjacent the grip jaws, this bracket having two radially spaced depending flanges 54 and 55 which are apertured to receive a slidable latch-bar 56 positioned'substantially radially ofthe block. The lower surface of this bar is' notched to provide an' outwardly facing shoulder 51 adapted to engage the inner surface of the outer flange II, as shown in Fig. 6. The inner end of th bar is provided with a button 53 arranged to engage the lug SI and hold the same inwardly against the spring 43. On the outer end of the bar there is mounted a handle 53 to facilitate the manual setting of the latch when the block is stationary." The latch bar 56 is preferably of rectangular cross section and rather closely fitted laterally in its guiding apertures but loosely fltted vertically, so that it may be'lifted slightly as shown in Fig. 8 to release the lower jaw 43. This lifting of the latch bar is effected by means of a cam 3| (Figs. 5 and 15) having an inclined upper surface which can be moved into the path of the bar at the proper time. This cam is mounted on the upper end of a vertical rod 62 which is slidably supported in a hollow upright frame 63. Near the bottom of this frame there is pivoted a treadle 64 with its inner end connected by a vertical link 65 to the lower end of the rod i3. By placing one foot on the treadle -54, the operator can lift the cam 6| into the path of the latch bar 56. The frame 63 is located in the position shown particularly in' Fig. 1, and it will be apparent that when the empty block is located at the left in this figure, and the loop of wire is traveling about the empty block on its way to the coiling block at the right, the latch bar will .pass above the cam 6| near the point at which the wire first comes into contact with the empty block. Thus the wire can be gripped at a point near the beginning of the arcof contact. 1 g

Immediately after the wire has been gripped. it is severed in front of the ri ped portion, so thata new bundle will be started on the empty block. For this-purpose a shearing member 63 is provided, this member being pivotally secured on the front side of the grip member." by means of the bolt ii. The member 33 comprises a shear blade 31 which extends outwardly through the slot 31. When thi blade is in its lower position it is located beneath the upper surface of the flange 23, as shown in Fig. 7, and when it is'in its upper position it overlaps the upper grip jaw 36, as shown in Fig. 9. The shear blade is biased toward its upper position, and for this purpose a coiled compression spring 68 is provided. This spring is mounted between the lower ends of two lugs 66 and III, the axis of the spring extending in a generally radial direction. The lug 68 projects downwardly from the front side of the hub 38, and the lug 18 projects downwardly from the inner portion of the shearing member 66. A stop fl is formed on the front side of the grip member 35 to limit the movement of the shearin member under the influence of the spring 68.

- Means is provided tomaintain the shear blade 61 in its lower position against the pressure of.

the spring 68, and to release the same immediately after the lower grip jaw 43 is released. For this purpose the flanges 54 and 55 are apertured to receive a second slidable latch bar 13 positioned in front of the bar 56 and parallel therewith of the block up to substantially the linear speed 'of the wire, whereupon he will rotate the handwheel 32 and turn'the table 28 in. a counterclockwise direction through an angle of 180 de-.

grees. This will bring the empty block 2| into contact with the wire, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4,

occupy the position formerly occupied by the coil- The rear surface of the bar I3 is notched to provide an outwardly facing shoulder 14 adapted to engage the inner surface of the outer flange 54, as shown in Fig. 13. The inner end of the bar is provided with a button 15 arranged to engage the lug l6 and hold the same inwardly against the spring 88. On the outer end of the bar there is mounted a handle 16 tofacilltate the manual setting of the latch when the block is stationary. The outer portion of the bar is offset upwardly, as shown in Fig. 7, so that it cannot engage the cam 6| even when the latter is in its raised position. The latch bar 13 is preferably of rectangular cross section and rather closely fitted ing block in Fig. l. The Operator will now depress the treadle' 64 and thereby raise the cam 6|, so that during the next revolution of the block the latch bar 56 will strike the top surface of the cam and 'be deflected upwardly. This will release the shoulder 51, and allow the spring '46 to snap the lower jaw 43 upwardly and grip the wire against the upper jaw 36. During the outward movement of the bar 56, the lug 18 thereon will strike the wall of the notch 86 in the latch bar 13 and release the shoulder 14, a's shown in Fig. 14. The spring 68 will immediately snap the shear blade 61 upwardly and sever the wire just in front of the point where it is gripped. The loaded block will now be stopped, and the grip jaws will be released from the wire in any desired manner, as by cutting the wire adjacent to the jaws. The grip member-36 and its connected parts may then be lifted from. the rod 38 and the completed wire bundle may be stripped from the block by any suitable means, whereupon the parts may be replaced and the latch bars reset in readiness for the next cycle. In the meantime the front end of the wire on the other block will be carried about the same by the closed grip jaws. and the second convolution of the wire through the open bottom of the bracket 53 at der 14. This will allow the shear blade to snap upwardly by reason of the force exerted by the spring 68, thereby severing the wire in the plane of the front surface of the grip member 35.

It'will now be apparent that in the operation of the apparatus and with the various parts positioned as indicated in Fig. 1, the wire W will travel directly from the block 28 of the wiredrawing machine to the block 2| at the left of the figure, and the wire will be formed into a bundle on this block in the same manner as bundles are usually formed on the finishing block of a wire-drawing machine. The right-hand block 2| will be stationary, and its latch bars 66 and I3 will be in their innermost or latched positions, holding the lower-grip jaw 43 and the will pass beneath the sloping lower surface 46 of the lower jaw 43, crowding this jaw upwardl and forcing the hub 38 to slide upwardly along the rod 38. As the bundle continues to' increase in size, the grip jaws will ride upwardly on the top of the bundle, as shown at the left in Fig. 2.

' 5 forming bundles in this manner on the two blocks 2| alternately, it is'posslbl to coil the wire continuously. Thus by supplying welded rod to a wire-machine, itcanbe kept in continuous operation until the wear on the dies necessitates their replacement. This appreciably increases the capacity of the machine and reduces the cost of operation. The coiling apparatus is comparatively simple and inexpensive, and thoroughly dependable. Since no twist is imparted to the wire, the bundles produced are entirely satisfactory.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: i

1. Apparatus for the continuous coiling of wire comprising a rotatable block having a capstan P0rtlonabout which the wire may travel in an latch while the gripping mechanism is revolving adjacent the said arcuate path of the wire, and

means to release the second latch in' response to the releasing of the first latch.

2. Apparatus for the continuous coiling of wire comprising a rotatable block having a capstan portion about which the wire may travel in an arcuate path, the capstan portion having a slot therein, a wire gripping and shearing mechanism mounted in the slot and movable along the same in a' direction substantially parallel with the axis of the block, and means to actuate said mechanism while it is revolving adjacent the said arcuate path of the wire.

3. Apparatus for the continuous coiling of wire comprising a rotatable block having a capstan portion about which the wire may travel in an arcuate path, the capstan portion having a slot therein, two grip jaws extending through the slot on opposite sidesot the wire path, a shear blade extending through the slot in front of the grip jaws, and means to actuate the jaws and blade to grip and sever the wire during its travel along said arcuate path, thereby starting a new coil on the block, the grip jaws and shear blade being movable along the slot to avoid interference with the growth of the coil.

4. Apparatus for the continuous coiling of wire comprising a rotatable block having an outwardly extending flange and a capstan portion about which the wire may travel in an arcuate path adjacent the flange, the capstan portion having a slot therein, a grip member extending outwardly through the slot at the opposite side of the wire path from the flange and movable along the slot. a grip jaw pivotally mounted on the grip member and located on the same side of the wire path as the flange, a shear blade pivotally mounted on the front side of the grip member, means to swing the grip jaw toward the grip member and thereby grip the wire during its travel alon said arcuate path, and means to swing the shear blade to sever the wire immediately after the wire has been gripped, thereby starting a new and located on the same side of the wire path as the flange, a shear blade mounted on the grip member and movable toward the path of the -wire, means biasing the grip jaw and the shear blade yieldably toward the path of the wire, latch means restraining the grip jaw and the shear blade from movement under the influence oi the biasing means, and means to release the latch means while the grip member is traveling adjacent the arcuate path of the wire, thereby gripping and severing the wire to start a new coil on the block, the second convolution of the wire passing between the flange and th grip jaw.

- 6. Apparatus for the continuous coiling of wire comprising a rotatable block having an outwardly extending flange and a hollow capstan portion about which the wire may travel in an arcuate path adjacent the flange, the capstan portion having a slot therein substantially parallel with the axis of theblock, means Providing a guideway within the capstan portion and extending substantially parallel with the axis of the block, a grip member slidably mounted on the guideway and extending outwardly through the slot at -the opposite side of the wire path from the flange, a grip jaw arranged to cooperate with the grip member and located on the same side of the wire path as the flange, the grip jaw having a portion which overlaps the rear face of the grip member and is pivotally secured thereto, a shear blade pivotally secured to the grip member and located adjacent the front face thereof, the shear blade being located on the same side of the wire path as the flange, a spring urging the grip jaw toward the grip member, a latch restraining the grip jaw from movement under the influence 'of the spring, a second spring urging the shear blade toward the path of the wire, a second latch restraining the shear blade from movement under the influence of the second spring, and means to release the first and second latches in rapid succession while the grip member is traveling adjacent the arcuate path of the wire, thereby gripcomprising a rotatable block having an outwardly extending flange and a capstan portion about which the wire may travel in an arcuate path adjacent the flange, the capstan portion having a slot therein substantially parallel with the axis of the block, a grip member extending outwardly through the slot at the opposite side of the wire path from the flange and movable along the slot, a grip jaw arranged to cooperate with the grip member and located on the same side of the wire path as the flange, the grip jaw being pivotally secured to the grip member, a shear blade pivotally secured to the grip member and located adjacent the front face thereof, the shear blade being located on the same side of the wire path as the flange, a spring urging the grip jaw toward the grip member, a latch restraining the grip jaw from movement under the influence of the spring, a second spring urging the shear blade toward the path of the wire, a second latch restraining the shear blade from movementunder the influence of the second spring, means to release the first latch while the grip member is traveling adjacent the arcuate path or the, wire,

and means to release the second latch in response to the releasing of the first latch, thereby gripping and severing the wire to start a new coil on the block, the second convolution of th wire passing between the flange and the grip jaw.

8. Apparatus for the continuous coiling of wire comprising a block rotatable about a vertical axis, the block having a horizontal outwardly extending flange and a capstan portion thereabove about which the wire may travel in an arcuate path adjacent the flange, the capstan portion having a vertical slot therein, a grip member extending outwardly through theslot immediately above the flange and movable upwardly along the slot, a grip jaw movably mounted on the grip member to cooperate therewith, the grip jaw having a portion located beneath the grip member and below the upper surface of the flange,'a spring urging the grip jaw upwardly toward the grip member, a. latch restraining the grip jaw from moving under the influence of the spring, a shear blade mounted in front ofthe grip member adjacent the path of the wire, a second spring urging the shear blade toward the path of the wire, a second latch restraining the shear blade from movement under the influence of the,second spring, and means to release the first and second latches in rapid succession while the grip member is traveling adjacent the arcuate path of the wire, thereby gripping and severing the wire to start a new coil on the block, the second convolution of the wire passing beneath the grip jaw to force the grip jaw and grip member upwardly as the coil increases in height.

9. Apparatus for the continuous coiling of wire comprising a rotatable block having a capstan portion adjacent which the wire may travel, and means mounted on the block to grip and sever the wire, said means being so mounted that it will move along the block'substantially parallel with the axis thereof as a coil of wire forms on the block.

10. Apparatus for the continuous coiling of wire comprising a rotatable device arranged to serve as a rotating wire-guiding pulley about which the wire travels in an arcuate path on its way to a rotating element on which the wire is coiled, said device and said element being rotatable about diflerent axes, and means rotatable with said device to grip and sever the portion of the wire traveling in said arcuate path.

11. Apparatus for the continuous coiling of wire comprising two elements rotatable about difierent axes, the first element being arranged to serve as a rotating wire-guiding pulley about which the wire travels in an arcuate path on its way to the second element, the wire being wound on the second element, and means associated with the first element to grip and sever the portion of the wire traveling in said arcuate path, thereby starting to wind the wire on the first element.

12. Apparatus for the continuous coiling of wire comprising two elements rotatable about diiierent axes, the first element being arranged to serve as a rotating wire-guiding pulley about which the wire travels in an arcuate path on its way to the second element, the wire being wound on the second element, and means mounted on the first element to grip and sever the portion of the wire traveling in said arcuate path.

13. Apparatus for the continuous coiling of wire comprising two elements rotatable about spaced parallel axes, the first element being arranged to serve as a rotating wire-guiding pulley about which the wire travels in an arcuate path on its way to the second element, the wire bein wound on the second element, means associated with the first element to grip and sever the portion of the wire traveling in said arcuate path, thereby starting to wind the wire on the first element, means to exchange the positions of the elements so that the second element will serve as a rotating wire-guiding pulley about which wire will travel in an arcuate path on its way to the first element, andimeans associated with the" second element to grip and sever the portion of the wire traveling in the arcuate path about the same, thereby starting to wind the wire on the second element.

14. Apparatus for the continuous coiling of wire comprising two blocks rotatable about difierent axes and each adapted to serve as a coiling block while a coil of wire is being stripped from the other block, each block when empty being arranged to serve as a rotating wire-guidin pulley about which the wire travels in an arcuate path on its way to the other block, and means to grip and sever the portion ot'the wire traveling in said arcuate path and thereby start a new coil on the empty block.

15. Apparatus for the continuous coiling of wire comprising two rotatable blocks each of which is adapted to serve as a coiling block while a coil of wire is being stripped from the other block, means to move said blocks in such amanner as to cause the empty block to serve as a rotating wire-guiding pulley about which the wire travels in an arcuate path on its way to the coiling block, and means on the empty block arranged to grip and sever the portion of the wire traveling in said arcuate path and thereby start a new coil on the empty block.

16. Apparatus for the continuous coiling of wire comprising two blocks rotatable about parallel axes and each adapted to serve as a coiling block while a coil of Wire is being stripped from the other block, means to revolve both blocks about a common axis parallel with the axes of the blocks and midway between the same and thereby cause the empty block to serve as a rotating wire-guiding pulley about which the wire travels in an arcuate path on its way to the coiling block, and means on the empty block to grip and sever the portion of the wire traveling in said arcuate path and thereby start a new coil on the empty block.

17. Apparatus for the continuous coiling of wire comprising a frame, two horizontally spaced rotatable blocks mounted thereon with their axes vertical, each block being adapted to serve as a coiling block while a coil is being stripped from the other block, means to turn the frame about a vertical axis midway between the blocks and thereby cause the empty block to serve as a rotating wire-guiding pulley about which the wire travels in an arcuate path on its way to the coiling block, and means on the empty block to grip and sever the portion of the wire traveling in said arcuate path and thereby start a new coil on the empty block.

18. Apparatus for the continuous coiling of wire comprising a irame. two horizontally spaced rotatable blocks mounted thereon with their axes vertical, each block having an outwardly projecting flange and a capstan portion thereabove on which a coil may be formed while a completed coil is being stripped from the other block, means to deliver wire to the blocks in a substantially horizontal plane adjacent the upper surfaces of the block flanges, means to turn the frame about a vertical axis midway between the blocks and thereby cause the empty block to serve as a rotating wire-guiding pulley about which the wire travels in an arcuate path on its way to the coiling block, and means on the empty block to grip and sever the portion of the wire traveling in said arcuate pathand thereby start anew coil on the empty block.

19. Apparatus for the continuous coiling 0! wire comprising a rotatable block having a capstan portion arranged to serve as a rotating wireguiding pulley about which the wire travels in an arcuate path on its way to a rotating element on 

